In wake of outbreak, Waterbury continues to add COVID-19 cases

August 22, 2021  |  By Lisa Scagliotti 

Recently spotted on Union Street: a "free" tree display of what look like homemade facial masks. Photo by Gordon Miller

UPDATE: This story has been updated on Aug. 22 to include new weekly community COVID-19 case data and information on booster shots.

Although the state Department of Health says the COVID-19 outbreak among children at Waterbury’s summer recreation camp program appears to have tapered off, Waterbury still logged 15 new cases in the past week, continuing its fastest increase in cases of the virus of the pandemic.

As of Thursday, Aug. 19, the Health Department had attributed 31 positive cases as connected with the camp outbreak. All of the cases were children and none were hospitalized, Health Department spokesman Ben Truman said. 

That total was up by just one case over the previous week. The outbreak began at the start of August in the program which wrapped up for the summer on Aug. 13; fewer than 20 youngsters attended in the program’s final week. 

Despite the lack of new cases the Health Department has connected with the outbreak, new cases are still emerging in Waterbury. State community-specific data shows that Waterbury recorded 55 new cases between July 28 and Aug. 18. Of those, 15 cases were reported Friday for the period of Aug. 12-18. The case growth is the fastest for the community since the pandemic began in March 2020 putting Waterbury’s total at 244 cases. 

Other neighboring towns are seeing new cases recently as well, although to a lesser degree than Waterbury. Waitsfield between July 14 and Aug. 18 logged 16 new cases; the last time it had any cases recorded was in early April. Stowe has seen 11 new cases, Moretown 10, and Warren 5 since mid-July; Middlesex added three this month after it last recorded a new case in early April.

For comparison, the roughly two dozen communities in Washington County combined in the past 14 days recorded 121 new cases, according to Saturday’s state data update. Statewide this month cases have returned to daily levels last seen in April. On Saturday, 132 new cases were reported; Friday saw 112; Thursday logged 173. Last week also saw Vermont’s COVID-19 death toll grow by five to 270. 

Mask recommendations

The camp outbreak is an item for discussion on the agenda for the Waterbury Select Board’s meeting Monday at 7 p.m. in the Steele Room at the municipal offices and also available online. Also on the agenda is an item to discuss the town’s masking policy. 

Waterbury had an order in place for the public to wear masks indoors in public settings from mid-2020 until June when the state of Vermont dropped its state of emergency and similar mask order. The state currently recommends that unvaccinated individuals wear masks indoors but there is no mandate in effect. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, however, recommends that people wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status in areas of the U.S. where transmission is considered “high” or “substantial.” SixVermont counties currently are listed as having high transmission, according to the CDC, including Chittenden County. Washington County, where Waterbury is located, is among six counties with substantial transmission; two are listed at the moderate level.   

Absent statewide or local guidance, individual local businesses have begun asking patrons to wear masks indoors or show proof of vaccination to enter. 

For example, Zenbarn in Waterbury Center this week joined other music venues in the state and across the industry in asking patrons to provide proof of vaccination or a recent negative test to attend events there. Many performing artists are now making that step a provision of their booking contracts as they aim to continue to schedule live music 

“We are committed to continuing operations as we have done throughout this global pandemic,” Zenbarn management said in its announcement of the new requirement for attendees to show their vaccination card -- or a photo of it -- or a negative test result within the past 72 hours at the door. “The recent surge in cases has led us to a new policy to ensure the safety of our customers, staff, and artists,” they said.

The Waterbury Public Library has resumed asking patrons to wear masks indoors. Public schools poised to open this week will ask all students and staff to wear masks indoors until further notice; staff will be required to be vaccinated or show a medical reason to be exempted and get weekly tests. 

Vaccines, boosters and testing

Meanwhile, the state’s vaccination rate surpassed 85% this week, based on Health Department information. State data also show Waterbury with a vaccination rate over 90% although data for cases and vaccinations likely count individuals in adjacent communities in totals for Waterbury given how addresses are recorded.

Federal and state health officials also released new information this week about booster shots. While the vaccine appears to protect individuals against serious illness from COVID-19, health care providers are seeing decreased protection against illness over time, especially from the Delta variant.

The new recommendation is for people to receive a booster after eight months have passed from their immunization. Those with compromised immune systems are also recommended to get a booster at least 28 days after their second dose. Health officials also expect a booster will be recommended for those who received the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

In Vermont, boosters will be offered first to those with compromised immune systems such as cancer patients, those with organ transplants, HIV infections, or chronic immune system disorders. More information on booster shots in Vermont is on the Health Department’s COVID-19 vaccine page.

Many walk-in vaccine clinics are scheduled across Vermont and most pharmacies are providing vaccines. 

Waterbury Ambulance Service has set new hours through Aug. 29 for free testing and vaccinations at its station located at 1727 Guptil Road in Waterbury Center: Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Wednesdays, 1-7 p.m. (vaccines and testing); Thursdays, 1-5 p.m.; Saturdays,  9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (vaccines and testing); Sundays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome; appointments for testing and vaccines are available online at healthvermont.gov/covid-19.

Ambulance staff also attend the Thursday Waterbury Farmers Market at Rusty Parker Park, 4-7 p.m., with testing and vaccinations.